To change your name in New York you have to forward a petition along with your birth certificate. You can fill the application by providing your personal details; you can say whatever you want to the judge, but only the truth.
How to change your name
Like any other State, even in NY too, you will have to publish in the newspaper . This can be omitted only in a condition where the judge feels that such publicity is going to cause any security problem to the applicant. You have all the right to furnish details regarding the risk if your name comes in newspapers, for example, victims of family brawls obviously will be facing the risk factor if their personal information’s are leaked.
Ger your present name notarized and if you are a person who is not capable of understanding English, you can get the petition translated. The sign of the translator is required on the petition and have it notarized. An immigrant who has status in the US, living in NY, can
change your name. Instead of a birth certificate you can use your immigration documents and if you are without proper immigration documents it’s better to discuss with an efficient attorney. If you have a criminal background you will have to furnish a ‘certificate of disposition’ along with your petition for name change, this can be obtained from the court where you were found guilty. If you come under the law income group you will not be charged any fee for the rap sheet. To make the process easy it’s better that you submit the required documents asked for, for example, if you ask the court to avoid you from publication as an aftermath of domestic turbulence and if you have an order of protection, attaching a copy of the same may help you.
Filing Papers
Once you are through with the papers you can file your petition in the court, if you are not able to pay the fee you can proceed as a poor person for which there is an application in which details of your income, property and expenses has to be filled. Once this gets the clearance from the court an index number and court date will be given. The hearing normally starts approximately four weeks from the date of filing your papers
HEARING
The hearing process differ according to the judge, normally it’s uncomplicated. You will have to wait till your name is called and sometimes you will be called in no time. You have to be present before the judge and he may ask you a few questions for which you will have to answer with utmost honesty. The papers are passed on to the clerk and the clerk will tell you what to do next. Most of the time the name change case are finished the very first time, if it gets denied be sure that you get a copy of the judgment to note the reasons for rejection. Many problems are very easy to solve and your request will have a positive result the second time.
Social security and Name Change
For applying a new social security card you have to submit a certified copy of the order. If you were born outside the US you will have to submit a proof authenticating your citizenship.( report of birth, passport, certificate of naturalization etc.)